By Deb Risden
When driving down Highway 24 in Peyton, one might do a double take at the blue cow in front of a quaint little building. That would be the Wooly Heifer, a western-themed boutique filled with clothing, accessories, home goods, boots and more.
Lisa Buhring opened the Wooly Heifer late in 2023; prior to the brick-and-mortar store, she marketed her goods as a vendor at venues like the El Paso County Fair.
Buhring said it all started several years ago during a trip she and her husband took to Gunnison, where she discovered Myra Bags. “I’ve always had an obsession with purses,” Buhring said. Myra is a company that makes purses and other accessories made from canvas, leather and hides. Buhring eventually started carrying other Myra products such as jewelry, shoes and wallets. She thought she could carry a larger variety of products if only she had a storefront.
Enter the second obsession — Scottish Highland cows. “After my first year at the El Paso County Fair as a vendor, I told my husband I needed a miniature Highland as a mascot,” Buhring said. “He looked for some and found a place out of state. I thought if you’re going to get one, you might as well get two.” They purchased one bull and one heifer. The miniature heifer is the face of the Wooly Heifer’s logo. Buhring said her miniature Highland bull, Farley, is full of personality and has his own following. “He spent all last year with me at the fair and went home with me every day. He was a little rock star. He has gone to Falcon, does photo shoots and is scheduled to attend a baby shower soon.”
Buhring said since opening her store last November, she has added to her bag and accessory inventory and now sells home accessories, art, shirts and children’s clothing. She added Lacy Boots, a western boot made in Colorado. “I was so excited to start carrying Lacy Boots. My store is one of the few places in Colorado where you can try them on,” Buhring said. She said the store also carries a variety of unique items that customers can purchase as gifts.
The Wooly Heifer’s inventory is all western themed, but affordable. “We are not priced like a typical western boutique. I try to keep my prices low,” said Buhring.
The community support for Wooly Heifer has been positive, she said. “It keeps growing … it has a life of its own. It’s small-town shopping,” Buhring said. “People come and I can spend time with them and get to know them. I have so many customers that were my friends and now they shop here. And I have so many customers that were customers that have become my friends,” she said.
Buhring is married with four children. Her husband is a native of Peyton and raises Black Angus and farms their land in Matheson. Her father served in the U.S. Air Force, and the family eventually settled in Colorado in 1983. “I’m not a true native, but I’m close,” she said.
The Buhrings have been home host providers for the past 30 years, providing foster care for adults with developmental disabilities.
The Wooly Heifer is open Thursdays and Fridays from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Starting June 8, visitors to the store can see Farley in person, as Buhring has set up an outdoor area for him.
The Wooly Heifer opened its doors last November, catching the attention of passersby with a blue cow in the yard. Starting in June, Farley, a live Scottish Highland cow will be around to greet visitors.
